Hello Readers, my name is Wendy. I am a happily married mother of two young ladies. Together with my husband we are living an abundant life through growing some of our own vegetables and fruit, cooking and baking everything from scratch and being mindful of what we use and buy.
God has blessed us abundantly. We try to be good stewards of those blessings.

Pages

Monday, 31 August 2015

Op Shopping

Once upon a time, op shops were small, dingy , musty smelling and dirty. When I was young and my family were on holidays, my parents loved to look in the local op shop. But you wouldn't see me in there. I was the one standing out the front waiting patiently ( not ) for my parents to finish looking.

Oh how times have changed and yes, you'll see me in an op shop quite often. I discovered op shops back in 2005 when a friend told me about Savers. Curiosity got the better of me and one morning after church Darren, our girls and myself made a trip into Frankston to have a look at Savers ( no longer there ). I was stunned at the size of the store. Two levels of treasures to look through and racks and racks of clothes. I guess you could call it a super sized op shop.

Ever since then my family makes regular trips to op shops with Savers being our favourite. We like Savers because it supports the Diabetes Foundation and SIDS for Kids through buying clothing and goods from them to help stock their stores. We also love the neat layout of the store, it's cleanliness and the variety to choose from. Donations of goods are gratefully received during working hours and with each donation you can get a stamp on a discount card. This entitles you to a 5 - 20% discount on your next purchase no matter how big or small any day of the week. It's a wonderful incentive to give and bless others. Sunday is student day and if you have a student card you can get 20% off your total purchase. Monday is Senior day. Just show your Senior's card for a 20% discount.

When my family appeared on A Current Affair back in June 2014, we had the opportunity to film part of the story at the Narre Warren / Fountain Gate Savers. I was in heaven as I know the store and staff well,. During the story I explained how each of my family members receives $150 twice a year as a clothing allowance from our budget. This is given in Spring and Autumn so that we can start looking for clothes for Summer and Winter. Now you might be wondering how we can clothe ourselves for $300 each a year ( not including underwears, bathers and pjs ). Savers and other local op shops are our first port of call. We go in with a list of clothes needed and start hunting. If we can't find what we want, THEN we look in the major department stores.

Op shops are great for picking up kitchenwares at bargain prices. Taking a walk through the kitchenware department is like going on a journey back in time. I quite often spot things that my Mum or Grandma had in their kitchens. It always brings a smile to my face. I've bought Tupperware, vintage platters for my Mum, pasta bowls, biscuit jars, icypole moulds, toasters for $3.99, George Foreman grill and hotplate for $20 ( worth $129 ), Breville iron for $14 ( worth $69 ), electric knife for $7 ( brand new ), teapots, craft supplies, bedside tables ( to go in the wardrobe ) cook books, clothing, handbags and many many other bargains in new or near new condition. You just never know what you'll find

I would have to say that my greatest find and what gets me excited the most is when I pick up vintage china. I've been able to collect Royal Albert, Royal Doulton, Royal Anne and a few other well known brands at $1.99 and $2.99 for a bread and butter plate. I now have a lovely collection that gets used on occasion. I've bought cup, saucer and plate sets for my girls as Christmas presents for $15. I always make sure I have a discount stamp to use for those purchases.

Supporting op shops is a wonderful way to furnish a home, save lots of money, support charities and reduce landfill.

Here are some handy hints for successful op shopping -

* Have a list of items you are looking for in your purse / wallet. You never know when you'll find it.

* Sign up to newsletters or club cards for future notifications of sales.

* Support op shops with your good / clean unwanted items. This is how they keep running.

24 comments:

I love op shopping and Savers is wonderful. The things I've found! A couple of times a year my daughter and I have a whole op shopping day. We have a routine and it is about 20 op shops. It is the best day! Some of the best things I have ever owned have come from op shops. My Jamie Oliver saucepan set was in its box, never used and $15. Chloe has a designer coat that she could sell on eBay for over $1000 that she got for $10. This is one of the biggest money savers ever. Xxx

Hi Wendy, I loved reading this post! Op shops are my favourite place to shop. I love your vintage plate collection! One other hint I would add is to go regularly. People often say to me "How do you always find such great stuff at op shops?" I tell them that most times I walk out empty handed, but by popping in often, I am more likely to spot that precious item that is exactly what I was looking for.Regards, Stephanie. Xx

I spent many a hour as a tween and teen following my mum and sister round op shops. I used to hate it (clothes shopping wasn't my thing) but these days I LOVE them! Savers are great! Your plate collection is gorgeous, and what bargains! :)

Childrens books $2.49 each, ouch. Think I'll stick to my local Church opshop staffed by volunteers and not paid employees and pay 50c. and know my money goes fully to support the meals service run next door

Please post your name next time. I don't like people hiding behind anonymous. Each to their own when it comes to op shops but not everyone has the chance to shop in a church op shop. I have none in my area.

Some books are far cheaper so please don't judge an op shop based on one photo. There's nothing wrong with people being paid to work. Even if it is in an op shop. They greatly support other charities just like church ops shops do.

I love op shops. I have also found some amazing bargains. Brand name tops, jeans, pants etc in amazing condition. I have also bought some amazing paintings of australian landscapes, the picture frame alone would be worth at least $100. I am in Brisbane now (ex Melbourne), and I miss Savers, but there are some really good op-shops like the Salvos here.

DH was made redundant last week . We saw it coming (company downsizing office here), butat least were are living the frugal live and are prepared.

I love Savers, I went there the other day and picked up the Shopping with Aldi Cook book which was in perfect condition, definatly worth the $2.50, esspecially when it was $30 new. All Op shops have different prices I love supporting both the small ones as well as the big ones as long as I get a bargin.

I remember seeing you on television - we all sat around and watched you and your family in dead silence - it really stuck a chord at our family. I love when I fond brand new items my size with the label still attached.

I love op shops too. My girls needed dress ups for Book week and I managed to get all I needed to make their costumes for a 1/3 of what it would have cost me to either hire or buy all ready made. Not happy with our local Salvos though as some of their clothing items are dearer than the local discount clothing stores. They are becoming more commercial these days. Hubby still has his Leather jacket we got from Savers in Footscray years ago. So sad that Frankston doesn't have savers anymore.

When I went to Savers recently I was is awe at the size of the store. I walked the aisles and came away without purchasing anything. I couldn't make up my mind as there was so much choice and I needed more time. I liked what I saw and will definitely go back when my schedule allows more time for looking.

I love the little op shops in country towns. You can pick up a bargain for sure. Items ranging from .50 cents(maybe less) to $2. My mum volunteers in the one in her home town and I have picked up many a name brand bargain there for dirt cheap.

Hi Wendy, Love op shops also. We have two near us an they often have sale days where they have coupons in the local paper for 20 - 50% off, I have one for 50% I still have to use.This is a great post to dispel the myth that op shops are old and smelly. They have become trendy and you are recycling and helping people less fortunate.

Love the baking cabinet, reminds me of our medicine cabinet when I was a child.Your plates are beautiful, I also collect vintage china, will have to swap photos sometime.

Wendy we adore our local op shops. So many treasures for so little money! The Five Star Frugal linkup is back up and running if you'd like to share this post there? I'd love to have you and there's so many good Five Star Frugal tips here. Love, Mimi xxxhttp://atrayofbliss.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/five-star-frugal-16with-pearls-and-candy.html

Hi WendyI always check out the op shops first for anything I might need. Yesterday I got three work shirts for Hubby and a cardigan for me for $4. The cardigan is the one I have been looking for to go with a dress I have. I have been looking for months and refused to purchase the heavier cardigans in a similar style from a major store. I knew I could find what I wanted eventually. I am glad I waited. Op shops are so much fun. I have gotten things from clothes through to bulbs for the garden at our local ones.We allocate $10 per fortnight for the two of us for clothes. If we op shop that $10 goes a long way. Linda